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Alcohol use

Drinking too much can increase your risk of developing certain cancers and immune system disorders as well as damage to muscles and bones. Find out more about the effects of alcohol on the aging process.

12 steps towards recovery: Can engaging in support programs help with alcohol use disorder?
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Low-Risk Drinking: How Much is Too Much?
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Alcohol and surgery: A dangerous combination
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  • Evidence Summary

    Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020)
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol consumption: The benefit is in the dose

    Evidence-based Living
    Moderate alcohol use may have some health benefits (up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men). Alcohol use in older people may increase your risk of accidents including falls and fractures.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol use disorder

    Mayo Clinic
    Unhealthy alcohol use can lead to serious problems. It is important to get early treatment. Details in this resource about how to recognize, treat and help others cope with unhealthy alcohol use.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol: Weighing risks and potential benefits

    Mayo Clinic
    You should not start drinking alcohol or drink it more often for potential health benefits. Potential benefits include lower risk of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. Risks include many serious health problems. The benefits of alcohol consumption do not outweigh the risks.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?

    Mayo Clinic
    Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation. Moderate drinking is one drink a day for men and women over 65.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol and health: The good, the bad, and the ugly

    HealthLine
    Alcohol consumption can increase your risk of diseases to many different parts of your body including brain, liver, and heart. Drinking small amount of red wine has shown health benefits. If you tend to drink excessively, you should avoid it.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol withdrawal and alcohol detoxification

    Patient.co.uk
    Many people who drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis become alcohol-dependent. This has a lot of negative impacts on your body. These people may experience withdrawal if they stop drinking. There is support available to help with this.
  • Evidence Summary

    Perioperative alcohol cessation intervention for postoperative complications.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol and cancer risk

    National Cancer Institute
    Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer. Risk of some cancers are even greater for people who drink and smoke. Follow drinking guidelines to help lower your risk (details in this resource).
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol use and cancer

    American Cancer Society
    Alcohol is linked to many different types of cancer. Drinking alcohol regularly increases risk of head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, or colorectal cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk. Recommended alcohol limits are no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcoholism: Alternative medicine

    Mayo Clinic
    Treatment of alcohol use disorder is tailored to the needs of the individual. Some treatment options include: developing a treatment plan, detox, medication, counselling, and ongoing support.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcoholism: Coping and support

    Mayo Clinic
    Alcohol use disorder involves an unhealthy drinking pattern that impacts your daily functioning and causes distress. This resource provides information on symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, and when to see a doctor.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Alcohol and sensible drinking

    Patient.co.uk
    Drinking above recommended limits increases the risk of developing serious problems.
  • Web Resource Rating

    Drinks to consume in moderation

    Harvard School of Public Health
    Artificially sweetened drinks, diet drinks, 100% fruit juice, milk, and alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
  • Blog Post

    Potential surgical complications from alcohol use

    In this 3-minute video, Dr. Leslie Martin discusses the potential surgical complications for those who drink alcohol in the days or weeks before surgery.
  • Blog Post

    Alcohol and surgery: A dangerous combination

    People who drink alcoholic beverages are at higher risk of complications during and after surgery. Alcohol consumption can reduce heart and immune system function, prolong bleeding time, and increase the body’s stress response. The less alcohol you drink before surgery, the better. In this video, Dr. Leslie Martin discusses the potential surgical and post-operative risks for people who consume alcohol in the days or weeks leading up to surgery.
  • Blog Post

    Low-Risk Drinking: How Much is Too Much?

    Any amount of alcohol consumption can have risks for your health. In this video, Dr. Sophiya Benjamin talks about Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (2011), what a 'standard drink' is, and how following the guidelines can help to reduce both the short- and long-term risks of alcohol use.
  • Blog Post

    4 Evidence-based benefits of seeking peer support

    Can turning to our peers hold benefits for our health? You’ll be happy to know that research lends support to the use of this strategy.
  • Blog Post

    12 steps towards recovery: Can engaging in support programs help with alcohol use disorder?

    Are you or someone you care for looking for a program to support recovery from alcohol misuse and dependence? See what the research says about widely used recovery support services.
  • Blog Post

    Managed alcohol programs: Helping chronic alcoholics with regular doses of alcohol

    The harmful use of alcohol resulted in approximately three million deaths worldwide in 2016. Managed alcohol programs are a promising harm-reduction approach for people living with severe alcohol dependence who often experience homelessness or housing instability.
  • Blog Post

    Scheduled for surgery? Say no to alcohol

    Drinking alcohol puts you at a significantly higher risk of complications post-surgery. Intensive strategies that curb alcohol intake in the period leading up to surgery may improve how well you come out on the other side.